Christine Day maintains her strong writing, creating rich characters and deep emotions all within the context of a single day in the life of Wesley. I especially appreciated that this is very much a middle grade novel FOR middle grade students. Wesley's daily worries, her crushes, her interactions with her teachers... They felt lifted from every day life. I worry sometimes that middle grade novels are starting to be written for the adults that love them, but this one wasn't. I could easily see it fitting on the shelves at our libraries and connecting with my own students, wrestling with crushes, asking people out, finding their community, wondering about changing family dynamics. I highly recommend.

I love intergenerational stories, especially about grandparent/granddaughter relationships. Wesley, a middle schooler who loves writing and gaming, is saddened when her school denies the right to form a club for Native Americans due to small numbers. She is proud of her Upper Skagit roots and is thrilled when the school publishes a piece she writes about Indigenous Peoples Day. She’s discouraged by her teacher’s response which makes her reluctant to share it. Interactions with friends, classmates, a crush, and her family, including the father who abandoned her, change her relationships for the better and makes her even more proud of her heritage.

I received an ARC of “We Still Belong” from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Prior to reading this middle grade novel, I had never read anything written by Christine Day. But I was attracted by the book’s title and the book’s description. It wasn’t until I actually began reading this book that I discovered what an excellent writer Day really is. And even though I read an uncorrected e-proof, I hope that both the editors and the publishers don’t change anything prior to publication.

The MC, 12-year-old Wesley, is Upper Skagit. Although Wesley is not an “official” tribal member according to the rolls, she is Upper Skagit both culturally and genealogically. The book’s title is named after a poem that Wesley wrote to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Although the MC and her family are Native, there is so much diversity among the characters that this book will be of interest to many kids, and adults, nationwide. In fact, I would venture to say that if any authors are struggling with how to include diversity in their books, they should read “We Still Belong.” I can easily see how this novel will become a benchmark on how to effectively do so.

I have read many other authors who make ***big*** mistakes when trying to incorporate diversity into their books. Usually, authors will go out of their ways to hyper-identify characters. Other times, they will add in something, usually at the end of the book, because they might not know how to incorporate it. Some even choose to make the whole book out of ethnicity or gender or discrimination. When any of the above is done, the books becomes overpowering and preachy. Day’s approach is much more muted. And, consequently, much more interesting.

The author masterfully incorporated an outpouring of diversity with only just a few words, and then mirrored that in other places in the book. For example, readers are introduced to Wesley’s uncle by name only—Uncle Kenji—but it wasn’t until Chapter 38 that we actually learn about his Japanese heritage. Likewise, Day lets us know that Hanan is Wesley’s best friend. But it isn’t until Chapter 12 when the author tells readers that Hanan’s mother speaks with a Syrian accent. Day didn’t spend 50 paragraphs discussing their ethnicity and/or backstories. She didn’t need to. The author added in just enough to let readers know without preaching about it.

Day doesn’t rely on the ‘I’m-different-and-everybody-hates-me-because-of-it’ trope. I’ve read books that do, and each time it was a disappointing read. Wesley discovers that people have a tendency to ignore Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This bothers Wesley, but she doesn’t harp on it. Likewise, the author doesn’t use this to scold non-Indigenous people. Instead, Day used this as an opportunity to reintroduce characters from earlier in the novel—characters that *do* understand and appreciate this holiday.

What I really love about this book is that the author takes a deep look at stereotypes without forcing readers to listen to a lecture. When a new girl at school (Skye) appears, Wesley doesn’t pay much attention to the girl with red hair, blue eyes, and white skin. But when Wesley sees that same girl dressed up as a Jingle Dress Dancer and learns that she’s Choctaw, it opens readers eyes that not all Natives can be stereotyped with black hair, brown eyes, and dark skin. I used to live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and can tell you from first-hand experience that there is a huge amount of genetic diversity among Native peoples. I also really appreciate how the author revealed non-traditional extended families. You see this all the time, not just on reservations and among Native peoples, but around the world.

After reading the first few chapters, I really liked the MC. But when Wesley was faced with following her own needs and wants (asking Ryan to the dance), she chose compassion instead by following the emotionally wounded almost-nemesis Ella to the bathroom. There is so much to love about Wesley. And I see so much of myself in her. With so much diverse mixing of ethnicities in the country, I can see kids (and adults!) being really attracted to this book and falling in love with the character. Like Wesley, I am also mixed—a beautiful mix of European, Native American (Shawnee-Delaware) and Jewish. I never think of myself like that, but Day’s book makes me feel proud of myself. Like Wesley, I am unenrollable. But also like Wesley’s family, my son IS enrollable (Oglala). Our enrollment status doesn’t doesn’t define us, and Day makes this statement loud and clear.

When I first began reading this book, I was concerned because Wesley seemed preoccupied with asking Ryan to the school dance. In the past, I have been really disappointed when some authors made 12-year-olds boy crazy. But this ‘puppy love’ was completely appropriate. There is *never* a kiss in this book; only a hug. Likewise, there is no cursing.

I love how the author talks about fry bread at the powwow. In South Dakota, though, no powwow (or yard sale or birthday party or wake or anything really) was complete without Indian Tacos. Day’s descriptions made me feel like I was there. And like Wesley, the Grand Entry is one of my favorite parts (besides the hand drum competition!) I will admit to having an owl ‘superstition’; when you see an owl, it means somebody is going to die! And if one lands on your house, them OMG! I know folks on Pine Ridge who get so freaked out that they won’t even make a fan with owl feathers (and I don’t blame them!) My son, on the other hand, is a lot like Wesley’s grandpa—owls are just birds!

Wesley is brave and compassionate. She chooses to be kind. I could not ask for a better main character. Christine Day is an excellent writer and plotter. From what I’ve found, Day primarily writes books with a Native slant. I must admit that I love these types of stories. But to be perfectly honest, Day is far too talented to box herself into any corner or genre. If she were to push herself beyond these Native-only writing boundaries and invest in writing a more mainstream novel series, I can see her becoming a household name of PJ and HP fame. She is **that** good of a writer.

I recommend this book to everyone and especially to other writers as an example of how to incorporate diversity (both ethnic and gender) into their stories.

We Still Belong by Christine Day is a hopeful and sunny story of one day in the life of a seventh grader, Wesley. Wesley is a gamer, She plays viola. She is experiencing her first crush. It's Indigenous day and Wesley has written a poem that is published in her school newspaper. Her best friend, Hanan unconditionally supports her and stands by her as Wesley learns to find her voice. Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this wonderfully warm story. My opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC!

This was a beautiful, heartfelt story about a teenager and her daily life. From making new friends, asking out her crush, navigating her indigenous heritage and family. It's such a sweet story of being brave and being true to yourself with some really good messages for teens and preteens of today.

A beautifully quiet contemporary middle grade story about one day in the life of 7th grader Wesley Wilder as she ponders her Native identity and heritage, gets up the courage to ask her crush to TOLO, forges some unexpected friendships, and does something brave that she never thought she'd do. Day's writing is organic, seamless, and thought-provoking.

A great story bringing more voices to the table of what it means to be an American teenager, figuring out who you are and how to make yourself heard. Christine Day paints a very realistic but optimistic picture of growing up in this day and age as a minority and how not give up in the face of ~waves hand at world~

Feedback will be provided when a new contract is negotiated with HarperCollins Union.
Feedback will be provided when a new contract is negotiated with HarperCollins Union.

We Still Belong is a wonderful, heartfelt book that’s easy to fly through. Wesley is an important character, and I’m excited to show her to kids at my store. There’s so many good conversations going on in this book and Christine Day juggled all of them perfectly. I’m really looking forward to reading her other books now!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this e-ARC. This is a five star read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another Christine Day novel I could not put down. This is a beautiful story about celebrating identity, friendship, and honoring our heritage. I cannot wait to share this book with my 5th grade students. It is a powerful read about the necessity to acknowledge indigenous voices and empower representation.

Hanging out with Wesley was just what I needed! What a lovely story! I can’t wait to share it with my students!

I received a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it

We Still Belong is a story of Wesley, a girl with native roots, who is trying to find her place in a world which seems to want to ignore that she exists and relegate her family to history. This is a positive book that gives indigenous kids representation they need…and gives everyone awareness of their classmates and friends. It deserves a place in school and classroom libraries.

Wesley has written a poem for Indigenous People’s Day, and it was published in her school newspaper. She hopes to read it in class but her teacher says it should have been an essay. As she goes to a public tribal powwow, she sees Ryan a boy she had wanted to ask to dance, and she learns her aunt and uncle might be moving. As disappointment sets in, she is told by a school friend to read her poem in front of the crowd. Wesley decides to and is overwhelmed at the reaction. What happens?

Wesley is not legally part of the people that her mother and family belong to, because of rules about percentage of blood (Blood Quantum Laws) which were imposed on native Americans by colonists. This does not make her any less of her people, the Upper Skagit Tribe. It just means she can’t vote on triable issues, when she comes of age. But that doesn’t mean she is not Indiginous, and so on this day, that the story takes place, Indigenous People’s Day, she is so excited. She has written a poem for the school paper about how her people belong here, in the area of Washington state that she lives in.

She is hoping the school will mention this special day, or that people will say something about her poem. As we go through her day with her, we learn more about how important this is to her, and why.

I love this book because it is showing middle grade students that indigenous people belong just as much as any other student. That it is important to acknowledge that. Plus, that there are many ways to commemorate the day, as she finds out later from another student, new to the school.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

this was a really well done children's novel, it had what I was hoping for from this type of book. I loved the struggles of the main character and thought they felt like real people. It was really well done and I enjoyed the plot going on in the story and wanted the story to never end. I enjoyed the way Christine Day and can't wait for more from her.

"I spend the next few minutes reimagining our encounter. I picture myself standing tall and telling Brady: It makes no difference. Their power-ups are all the same and the maps are mirror images of each other, so it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Bandit or a Raider. I debate whether or not I should interrupt them and make it clear that I actually do know what he was talking about, that I’ve played the game before, and that my opinion counts. Because it does."